The Oystercatcher can be found all around the coast feeding on shellfish
especially mussels, cockles and limpets though not, despite its common
name, oysters. It has a powerful bill which it either uses to stab or
to prise open shells, it will also eat earthworms which has allowed it
to colonize further inland. Both sexes are similar in appearance being
large wading birds (up to 45cm long with a wingspan up to 86cm) with black
and white plumage and a distinctive long bright orange-red bill and pinkish-red
legs. It has broad, white wing-bars and during the winter develop an extra
white mark on their throats.